The most important thing you can do is to “leave the leaves” in the yard and leave the seed heads in your gardens. Birds that do not migrate need food and shelter all winter. This great Audubon article tells you the many ways you can support birds all winter long. Ask your lawn service to mulch your leaves as they mow to naturally fertilize your grass and to leave a pile of leaves in a corner of your back yard. Make sure they do not use leaf blowers that leave your garden beds bare! The soil, plants, birds and beneficial insects will thank you!
Invasive Lesser Celandine
This attractive plant with a buttercup-like flower is actually an invasive ground cover called Lesser Celandine that is taking over and choking out everything in its way! It is spreading aggressively in gardens, yards and even forest preserves. As pretty as it is, it should be dug out carefully now as it has many small tubers. (We do not recommend chemical control in most cases.) Do not put it in yard waste bags – this invasive plant should be sent straight to a landfill. It should not be confused with Marsh Marigold or Celandine Poppy, two lovey non-invasive Midwest native alternatives.
